Raby Plumbing Blogs

“Whistle While You Work” is a familiar tune, but your toilet shouldn’t be tooting away while it’s doing its job. Toilets make an orchestra of sounds when they flush, drain and refill, but whistling is out of the ordinary. If you hear a high-pitched whistle coming from your bathroom, it’s time to do some investigating.
... Read Article

Do you remember the last time you flushed your water heater? Has it recently started making loud popping sounds, especially after you’ve had a hot shower?
If it’s been more than a year or two, and your hot water no longer seems to meet your demand, it’s probably time to flush your water heater tank. Luckily, draining your water h... Read Article

Water where it shouldn’t be is every homeowner’s worst nightmare. Unfortunately, floods can happen anywhere at any time. Depending on where you live, you may be more susceptible to floods during certain times of the year. For example, Florida is more prone to flooding during hurricane season (June to November), but Oklahoma is more like... Read Article

We all know what a chimney looks like, but have you ever wondered what some of those smaller pipes coming out of your roof do? More than likely, it’s a plumbing vent.
While seemingly unsightly or unimportant, these vents are vital to your house’s plumbing system. In fact, without these vents, your house would be a wet, stinky mess.
Ho... Read Article

When freezing temperatures come howling in, your home or business could be at risk for freezing pipes. If the mercury drops, and your faucets, showers or toilets stop flowing, a frozen pipe could be the culprit.
Freezing pipes are just the start of the problem. Over time, as pipes freeze and thaw, you run the risk of bursting pipes. You need to ta... Read Article

If your crawl space tends to have an excess amount of moisture and puddles of water building up under the property, then yes, we would suggest installing a sump pump. Excess moisture can lead to additional property damage like rust, mold, mildew growth and health hazards. Although, if your crawl space is only mildly damp, there are other solutions.... Read Article

The City of Tulsa has added fluoride to its water supply since 1953. According to City Ordinance (Title 11-C, Chapter 1, Section 103), fluoridation is instituted at a maximum content of 0.7 parts per million (milligrams per liter), which is the DHHS and EPA recommendation.
Fluoridation Background
Almost all water contains fluoride naturally, but ... Read Article

Yes, a permit is required to replace a water heater in Tulsa to ensure that it was installed properly and doesn’t create a hazard to residents or building occupants. A permit also keeps your home or business compliant with the International Code Council (ICC).
Because an improperly installed water heater can create several hazards (such as s... Read Article

Uh-oh. There’s a pool of water under your water heater, or running down the sides or top. You don’t see water dripping onto the unit from another source. You’ve got a water heater leak. Here’s what to do.
Safety note: Avoid direct or indirect contact with the heated water! On factory settings, the water produced is hot enou... Read Article

When you think about all the food and scraps that are put into dishwashers and drains, it's not surprising that things back up once in awhile. Although there are many reasons why a dishwasher is failing to drain, there are a few steps anyone can take to troubleshoot the problem themselves before calling a professional for assistance.
Step 1 - Run ... Read Article

Have you ever entered your home to the pungent smell of rotten eggs? If yes, chances are sewer gas is escaping from your home’s drainage system. This combination of toxic and nontoxic gases is produced when waste materials decompose in sewer or septic systems. Hydrogen sulfide is often found in sewer gas, and is responsible for the rotten egg... Read Article

During the rainy spring season, a properly working sump pump can be your basement’s best friend. But like most systems in your home, components can fail or malfunction without warning. Most homeowners discover their pump isn’t working when they need it the most - during a storm. Testing your pump on a regular basis can help avoid costly... Read Article

Spring is officially here! It's time to get the house back in order with some deep cleaning and general maintenance. Including a thorough examination of your home's plumbing system can help resolve any current or potential issues. Review these quick plumbing tips and protect your belongings by practicing prevention.
Indoor Plumbi... Read Article

Low water pressure, or low flow, is a common occurrence in homes. Whether it’s affecting your toilet, sink, or shower, it’s a frustrating problem that can be fixed. It’s important to understand what the main causes of low water pressure are so that you can find the quickest, easiest and least expensive solution. We’ll highli... Read Article

This may not be a subject you’re familiar with, or even worried about, but it may be of concern to your plumbing and your health over time. Tulsa began adding chloramine to the water in 2012, and as expected, it was a controversial topic amongst the city. Chloramine is between 3 to 5 parts chlorine to 1 part ammonia.
What is Chlorine?
Chlor... Read Article

Hard water is a common issue among renters and homeowners. While it’s perfectly fine to use for things such as washing the car and watering the yard—hard water can cause subtle issues if used within the home.
What is Hard Water?
Hard water is water that contains a high concentration of dissolved minerals. Water systems using groundwat... Read Article

Slow hot water, or water that takes a long time to get hot, can be caused by a variety of factors. The solution to slow hot water isn’t always to replace your hot water heater, so check these causes before you start shopping.
Pipe Length
Even if your hot water heater is right next to your sink or shower, the connecting pipe can be much long... Read Article

Tankless water heaters, or instantaneous water heaters, heat water only when it’s needed. While they may cost more initially, they can last longer than regular water heaters and help save on energy costs. Learning about the different types of tankless water heaters, their benefits and how they work, may be helpful before you decide to make a ... Read Article

You’re interested in becoming a plumber...smart choice! Even in a slow economy, people need plumbing services. Plumbing is also a highly skilled trade that can’t easily be outsourced or automated. &nb... Read Article

We’ve always heard to run a faucet in freezing temperatures to prevent our home’s pipes from freezing, but does it actually work?
Leaving a faucet open during freezing cold weather can actually help prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting during the winter months. However, there is a right and a wrong way of doing this, plus addi... Read Article